Date:07/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050760381200.htm

National

Service chiefs meet Cabinet Secretary

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The three Service chiefs, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Air Chief Marshal F. H. Major and Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, on Tuesday met the three-member Sixth Pay Commission review panel headed by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar and submitted a list of demands that includes higher military special pay (MSP) for the personnel below officer ranks (PBOR).

The Commission had recommended Rs. 1,000 a month MSP for PBOR, while the officers (up to the rank of Brigadier) were to receive Rs. 6,000. Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Army officers feel the disparity is too large and the MSP for jawans should be doubled, if not tripled.

The armed forces want the review panel to take a second look at the scales recommended for middle-level officers. They fear an exodus if an improved monetary package is not forthcoming.

As there is big shortage of junior officers — over 11,000 in the Army alone — Servicemen want attention paid to the Short Service Commission so that officers could leave after putting in certain years of service.